Maritime Union joins call to make KiwiRail bid

Maritime Union joins calls to reverse KiwiRail decision

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is backing calls by the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) for the Government to step in to ensure new rail rolling stock for Auckland is made in New Zealand.

Maritime Union General Secretary Joe Fleetwood says the news of the failure of public owned KiwiRail to bid for the contract to build the electric units reflects badly on the Government.

"The decision by Kiwirail not to bid for the job shows a failure of leadership, at both the corporate level and at the Government level."

Mr Fleetwood says the National Prime Minister John Key has recently claimed that unemployed workers need a "kick in the pants."

"But since National came to office, tens of thousands of New Zealanders have lost their jobs, and now it appears National have sabotaged hundreds more high quality jobs for workers in a recession by failing to provide leadership and giving away work that can be done in New Zealand."

Mr Fleetwood says that New Zealanders must continue to put pressure on the Government to deliver jobs and industry to New Zealand.

He says a study by economics consultancy BERL estimated last week that local construction of the electric units would add between 770 to 1270 additional jobs and $232 to $250 million to GDP.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) recently formed a Strategic Union Alliance in the transport industry.

ENDS

© Scoop Media